Bad Religion?

Once again it seems the mainstream press sees fit to take a swing at Odinism.  As always our tolerance of other faiths make us easy targets.

In his article, Christopher Howse states,

“In this respect books are like religions or politicians. Odinism is a bad religion. Stalin was good at being a bad politician. The unreadable Mein Kampf was bad at being a bad book. ”

Whilst I agree Stalin was a bad politician and Mein Kampf is second-only to the phone book for most boring book ever, I wonder why he sees fit to place us in the same sentence, and state we are a bad religion?

Mr Howse is allegedly the Religious expert for The Telegraph and I would have personally expected better from this newspaper.  Had it been the Gutter Press I probably would not have batted an eyelid.

The frustrating part of this is that the article isn’t even an assessment on Odinism or comparative Paganism, it is an off the cuff random statement.  If the article was a critique of Odinism then Mr Howse is entitled to his opinion. But it was not, the article has nothing to do with faith but of the reading habits of politicians.

I suppose after a thousand years we should be used to it.  But we shouldn’t have to be.  I doubt he would have the courage to voice that of Islam or Judaism, the backlash against the newspaper would probably close it.

Personally I have complained to the Press Complaints Commission.  For those wishing to do so here is the information required:

The article appeared in: The Daily Telegraph & online in The Telegraph

Date: 5th February 2011

Headline: Yann Martel’s campaign: Read any good books lately, Prime Minister?

The Daily Telegraph editor: will.lewis@telegraph.co.uk
Article Author: Christopher.howse@telegraph.co.uk

The postal Address is:

The Daily Telegraph, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT

The Press Complaints Commission is the place to voice your concerns and it is suggested he has breached:

1. Accuracy.
12. Discrimination “Religious”

FFF

Tags: Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph, libel, Odinism, press complaints

Category: Campaigns, Featured, Reginhard